Nile crocodile

The Zoo has one Nile crocodile, a female, who was hatched in the wild in Africa. She arrived at the Zoo on July 25, 2003.

Viewing Hints

The Zoo's Nile crocodiles can easily be seen basking on land or enjoying the pool in their exhibit.

Where to find me in the Zoo

Reptile and Amphibian House

Fun Facts

Nile crocodile exhibits amazing parental care. The parents will aggressively guard the nest against predators and are also known to take the eggs in their mouths and use their tongues to gently crack the shell, helping the babies hatch.

Mummified crocodiles and crocodile eggs have been discovered in Egyptian tombs.

An adult male Nile crocodile can grow as long as 20 feet and weigh as much as 2,000 pounds.

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The largest of the four species of crocodilians in Africa is usually dark green in color. The eyes and nostrils are located on top of the head allowing the animal to detect prey on land as it comes close to the water’s edge. This species of crocodilian is widespread throughout tropical and southern Africa and is known as a man killer in parts of its range.

Behavior

The Nile crocodile spends the majority of its time in the water hunting or waiting at the shoreline to ambush prey that come to drink. They can also be seen on land basking in large groups. Crocodiles are “ectothermic”, meaning that they rely on their environment to main proper body temperatures.

Reproduction

The nesting season is usually November or December. The female will dig a hole in a river bank or sandy river bed. She will deposit between 25-80 eggs. The female will guard the eggs from predators during the 3 month incubation period. The sex of the hatchlings is determined by the temperatures in the nest.

Size

The average size range of adults is 12- 16 feet.

Weight

Weights over 500 lbs. are not uncommon.

Diet

Nile crocodiles are carnivorous. In the wild, adult Nile crocodiles will eat anything they can catch. The crocodile will lie in wait at watering holes and attack prey that come to drink. Large crocodiles prefer larger prey, big meals help the animals conserve energy. Hatchlings start with insects and gradually move onto larger prey as they grow. Nile crocodiles have been recorded as consuming everything from insects, amphibians and fish to land mammals as large as giraffe and cape buffalo. At the Zoo the Nile crocodiles consume two large rats or equivalent weight rabbit each week.

Geographic Range

Rivers, freshwater marshes, and mangrove swamps in tropical and southern Africa. They are also found on Madagascar.